Flexible spout.



PATENTED NOV. 13, 1906.

J. J. GERBER.

FLEXIBLE SPOUT.

APPLICATION FILED H1113. 1906.

UNITED STAT-Es PATENT oFFron. A

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1906.

Application filed February 13, 1906. Serial No. 300,899.

To all whom it may concern.-

FirBe it known that I, JAMES J. GERBER, of

'a bin or car or other receptacles; and the object of my invention is toprovide a spout composed of a series of flexibly-connected sections, anyone of which may be easily and quickly detached from the spout for thepurpose of substitution or repairs.

The invention consists generally in a spout composed of a series oftelesco ing sections or tubes and means detachab y securing saidsections to flexible connecting means.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a side elevation of a flexible spout embodying my invention. Fig. 2is a detail view of one of the sections removed from the spout andshowing the means employed for attaching the section to the flexibleconnecting means between them. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view ofthe attaching means.

In the drawings, 2 represents the lower end of a conductor or chutewhereon the upper spout-section 3 is swiveled at 4 in the usual manner.Below the spout section 3 are a series of telescoping spout sections ortubes 5, composed, preferably, of sheet metal of suitable gage andtubular in form and taered slightly from their upper toward their owerends, the smaller end of each section fitting within thelarger end ofthe contiguous section, as shown. This, however, is a commonconstruction inspouts of this type, and I make no claim in thisapplication to a grain-spout composed of telescoping sections andarranged in this way. It has been customary, however, in spouts of thistype to provide chains connecting the spout-sections with one anotherand securing these chains by bolts or rivets permanently to the walls ofthe sections. When bolts are used as a securing means for flexibleconnections, the heads will be on the inside of the tubes, and when thesections are telescoped or in use the heads of the bolts near the largerends of the sections will be covered by the smaller ends of the sectionsfitting within said larger ends, and consequently it will be practicallyimpossible to obtain access to the bolts should it be necessary todetach one of the spoutsections from the flexible connections" andremove it from the spout without taking the entire spout apart. i

To avoid this difficulty and annoyance incident to the use of theordinary connecting means, I provide chains 6, connecting the upperspout-section 3 with the lower or mouth section 7 and mount on eachinter mediate section a pair of plates 8, having lugs or ears 9 providedwith holes 10 to receive bolts 11. These bolts are inserted through thelinks of the chains 6 and will securely hold the spout-sections in theirproper relative position, the plates 8 being secured to the sections byrivets or other suitable means. Whenever it is desired to remove aspout-section, the bolts 11, connecting that particular spout-sectionWith the chains, will be taken out, and then the section can be readilyseparated from the others anda new one put in place thereof, if desired.

I am aware that difierent devices may be employed for securing thespout-sections to the connecting-chains, which will permit theconvenient detaching of the sections from the chains on the outside ofthe spout, and I therefore do not wish to be confined to theparticularmeans herein shown and described, as my invention includes anysecuring means on the outside of the spout-sections which will allow theseparation of any section from the chains without disturbing theconnections between the chains and the other sections.

I claim as my invention- 1. A flexible grain-spout comprising a seriesof telescoping sections in combination with plates secured on saidsections and having outwardly-projecting ears, chains forming continuousconnections between said sections, and bolts detachably fitting withinholes in said ears and projecting through links in said chains,substantially as described.

2. The combination with a fixed conductor having a swiveledspout-section at its lower end and chains secured to said spoutsection,of a series of telescoping spout-sections, plates mounted on saidspout-sections and having outwardly-projecting ears between which thelinks of said chains are inserted, and bolts passing through holes insaid ears and through said links and detachably connecting said sectionsand said chains, substantially as described.

r 3. A flexible spout having a series of telescopmg sections 1n combinaton wlth flexible means forming a' continuous c'onnectlon between saidsections and means for detachably securing said sections to saidconnecting means, said sections telescoping in one another sufficientlyto allow any section inter mediate to the ends of 'the spout whendetached from said connection, to be removed, whereby any one or more ofsaid sections may be detached from the spout without disturbing theconnections between said connecting means and the other sections,substantially as described.

4. A flexible spout having a series of telescoping sections incombination with flexible means forming a continuous connection betweensaid sections, and means for detachably securing said sections to saidconnecting means, the lower end of each section fitting loosely'into theupper end of the section next below when said connection is extended orstraightened, whereby said spout is capable of longitudinal expansionand contraction, and whereby any section intermediate to the ends of thespout can be removed when detached from said connection withoutdisturbing the connection between said connecting means and the othersections.

5. A flexible spout having a series of telescoping sections, platesmounted on said sections and having outwardly-projecting ears, chainsconnecting said spout-sections and havin their links fitting between theears of said p ates and means for detachably scouring the links of saidchain to said ears, sub stantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of February,1906.

JAMES J. GERBER.

Witnesses:

RICHARD PAUL, C. MAONAMARA.

